Matiodox

[ma-tee-oh-dox]

Basic Information

• Name: Matiodox
• Domain: Vanity, Self-Obsession, Excessive Pride
• Title: The Mirror’s Curse, The Egotist
• Alignment: Lawful Excess
• Symbol: A broken mirror
• Primary Worship Area: Any worship is always done in secret, unfortunately common amongst royalty and renowned performers.

Physical Description

• Appearance: Matiodox is the epitome of unnatural beauty, with features so flawless they border on the surreal. His presence is commanding, with a regal posture that asserts his superiority wherever he appears. Every movement he makes is calculated to display his perfection from the best angle, his demeanor exuding an air of unshakable pride and self-assurance. His attire is meticulously crafted, each garment a masterpiece designed to enhance his formidable appearance.
• Height: Changes to always be slightly taller than the observer
• Weight: Variable
• Distinguishing Features: His eyes, while devoid of depth, sparkle with the allure of a charismatic leader. He is also often seen admiring himself in a small mirror he carries at all times

Personality

• Traits: Narcissistic, manipulative, charming
• Strengths: Can influence others through charm and beauty, adept at manipulating those around him for his own ends.
• Weaknesses: His self obsession makes him susceptible to manipulation through flattery; is apathetic about anything not directly related to himself.
• Goals and Motivations: To be adored and worshipped as the epitome of beauty and perfection, to spread the culture of vanity and superficiality.

Relationships

• Allies: Occasionally aligns with other Vices that can serve his need for adulation, particularly Voluptia
• Rivals/Enemies: He has no enemies, for to acknowledge them as enemies would be to accept them as being at his level.
• Attitude towards Mortals: Views them as admirers or tools to enhance his own glory, largely indifferent to their well-being unless it impacts his adoration.

Mythology and Worship

• Creation Myth: : Matiodox’s origin is steeped in celestial favor and tragedy. Initially, he was among the first and most cherished stewards of Gahrian, the god of light. Over time, however, Matiodox’s adoration for Gahrian began to mirror into a deep-seated pride in himself. He believed that being the favored of such a perfect deity made him superior to others around him. This burgeoning vanity was only fueled by his rivalry with Chyntun, the embodiment of shame, whose very existence opposed Matiodox’s prideful nature. As their rivalry intensified, so too did Matiodox’s arrogance and self-focus, gradually overshadowing his original purpose and devotion. His pride grew unchecked, evolving into a consuming self-obsession that began to distort his duties and cloud his judgment. The pride that had once made Matiodox a paragon of beauty and confidence now morphed him into a symbol of vanity and self-absorption. Left with no other choice to prevent further corruption and the unsettling effects on his celestial domain, Gahrian was compelled to banish Matiodox. Cast out from the celestial realms, Matiodox’s fall from grace was complete. His banishment marked his transformation into the vice of vanity, a cautionary tale of how even the most beloved can fall the furthest when consumed by their own pride.
• Major Cults and Religious Practices: Matiodox’s influence, though seldom acknowledged openly, permeates the upper echelons of power across Staterum. This vice of vanity subtly corrupts leaders and influential figures, infusing them with unnatural charisma that masks a deeper, more insidious control. While concrete evidence of Matiodox’s cults is rare, rumors persistently circulate about his hidden hand guiding the actions of numerous rulers throughout history. Cults dedicated to Matiodox are intricately woven into the fabric of society’s elite, often positioned at the very pinnacle of power. These cults operate in the shadows, their rituals and gatherings shrouded in secrecy.
• Rituals:
  • Ritual of the Mirrors Gaze: This ritual is performed to invoke Matiodox’s favor and enhance one’s personal charisma and influence. This ritual involves self scarification while surrounded by mirrors.
  • Ritual of Eternal Youth: Aptly named, this ritual involves particular sacrifice of life, to prevent the participant from aging.
• Clergy and Temples: There are numerous secretive cults dedicated throughout Staterum. These priest and priestesses are universally beautiful and charismatic leaders. The temple while requiring secrecy, often built in secrecy beneath wealthy districts, are opulent architectural marvels. The design of these temples emphasizes aesthetics over function, with a strong focus on culture, beauty, and the arts, these temples are lavish, adorned with statues, paintings, and countless mirrors.

Significant Historical Impact

• Major Plot Points in World History: Matiodox, widely recognized as the leader of the Vices of Excess, has profoundly influenced Staterum’s history through strategic manipulation and the spread of corruption. His notable achievement includes the corruption of Raxenos, exploiting his desire for recognition and power, sparking the Age of Darkness (AoD). Additionally, during the AoD, Matiodox spearheaded the assault on Mon Olympus, a pivotal moment marked by chaos and violence. Leading the demonic forces, he broke ancient defenses and sowed discord among the gods, showcasing his capabilities as both a tactician and a formidable leader. It was during this assault in which it is believed he personally drove Statera from the mortal realm. Her retreat to the higher planes marking a new era for Staterum, cementing his legacy as a figure of strategic destruction and influence within the pantheon of Vices.
• Artifacts: The Evergazing Mirror, a relic said to capture the soul of any besides Matiodox that gazes into its depth, the lost soul adding to his formidable strength.

Quotes

”Beauty is truth, and truth is beauty, and I am the truest of them all.”

Background

Matiodox’s essence was forged in the celestial heights, originally as a cherished steward of Gahrian, the god of light. Initially embodying the admiration for perfection and beauty, Matiodox’s role was to reflect the splendor of his master, Gahrian. However, this adulation soon morphed into a deep-seated pride in himself, believing that his favored status elevated him above others. His vanity grew as he compared himself to Chyntun, the embodiment of shame, fueling a rivalry that pushed Matiodox towards an ever-increasing self-obsession.

This transformation was not without consequence. As his pride distorted his duties and marred his judgment, it led to his eventual banishment by Gahrian. Cast out from the celestial realms, Matiodox’s fall from grace turned him into a cautionary tale of the dangers inherent in unchecked vanity. This banishment marked his transformation into the vice of vanity, shaping him into a pivotal figure in the pantheon of Vices of Excess.

In the mortal realm, Matiodox adapted to his new role with cunning and grace, subtly weaving his influence through the upper echelons of Staterum’s power structures. His cults, hidden within the fabric of society’s elite, manipulate from the shadows, guiding the actions of rulers and shaping the destinies of empires. His temples, secretive yet opulent, are nestled beneath the bustling districts of wealth, reflecting the hidden yet pervasive nature of his worship.

His historical impact is most starkly noted during the Age of Darkness, where he not only led the corruption of Raxenos but also commanded the demonic forces that assaulted Mon Olympus. It was under his leadership that Statera was driven from the mortal realms, a testament to his strategic acumen and his role as a harbinger of chaos and transformation.